Teacher leadership
“The message of the Constitution is to educate the life of the nation. Hence, all citizens of Indonesia are smart in a broad sense. However, not all people are proven to be smart. Indeed, the smart ones commit corruption, which is worse. The non-intelligent have nothing. Then, it becomes our concern to improve the leadership. If we improve it, all schools in Indonesia will be better. In fact, we see only the same people while the bad ones keep increasing.” said Prof. Suyata, opening his presentation.
In his follow-up presentation, he conveyed the theory of multiple intelligence derived from the book “The Unschool Mind” by Howard Gardner, a psychologist from Harvard. The theory of multiple intelligence implies that the core of learning is the process of understanding. Each child has a plus and minus intelligence profile. During the first five years of a child’s life, they do not learn in school but in real life. They are successful in learning, such as mastering their mother tongue and theories or concepts of life. They also develop imagination and self-confidence which have developed. Intelligence and morality must work together. Unfortunately, once they enter kindergarten, learning failures begin to occur.
Prof. Suyata also conveyed teacher leadership. According to the National Comprehensive for Teacher Quality, identifying the benefits of teacher leadership means improving teacher quality, improving student learning, and ensuring successful educational reform. Further, it is the process of selecting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding successful teachers. It provides opportunities for teacher professional development, expands the principal’s capacity, and develops a more democratic school environment.
The material was delivered in a webinar via Zoom and YouTube on April 10, 2021, organized by the master of education management UAD (S2 MP UAD) with the theme “Exploring the Quality of Education in the Pandemic Era.” Present as speakers were Prof. Suyata, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Lecturer of S2 MP UAD), and Joko Kiswanto, M.Pd. (Alumni of S2 MP UAD and The Head of SD Muhammadiyah Al Mujahidin) with moderator Dr. Achadi Budi Santosa, M.Pd.
